You may remember that I was after more information about an incident that occurred in Brownhills in the 1970’s when a local eccentric barricaded himself into his house in an attempt to prevent it being demolished. I’ve come upon some information about the incident I’d like to share here, to see if I can jog any memories about the fellow. I still think he may be the chap that sat on the flower bed outside Boots Chemists in Walsall during the 1980’s, with a placard around his neck protesting about police harassment, but not many people seem to remember him either. The information I’ve learned is that the man’s name was Philip Cheetham, who was described as being a ’57 year old electronics genius’ – he had apparently ‘…booby trapped his condemned house to stop the Walsall Council officials from possessing his home in Brownhills’. The incident was reported on the ATV Today programme on the 18th April 1977. I’m attempting to get a copy of the report, but that’s a long shot.
Has that trigged any recollections? If so, please feel free to share them here.